Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-18
THE COCKADE CITY.
rHY PETERSBURG LIBEL CASES TO BE
HEARD.
The Proceedings Against the Newspaper
Publishers Personal Fotes-con'
fedsratss to Visit Richmond.
rcOrrcspOudcnco Of The Richmond Dispatch.l

fcorrespOndcpce Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, Va, Oct IL, 1887.
The grand jury for the approaching
quarterly term Of the Hastings Court
will meet next Thursday. The cases
for consideration are principally OF
trivial character, and, with the excep-
ton Of the libel proceedings against
the newspaper publishers and the sign
ers of the resolutions condemning
Mayor Jarratt, excite but little interest.
The prevailing impression is that the
punishment IN these cases, if any
punishment is inflicted, will be merely
nominal. This is especially true of
Mr.. Barham, who admits the fact of
the publication alleged, but denies tho
inference of malice. said 10 be essential
TO libel, and declares that he was I8no-
rant of the libellous character OF the re-
solutions when he consented to their
publication. According 10 his statement
hewas aroused from a sick bed at mid
night. and while under the influence
OF strong narcotic medicine called on
10 decide whether the resolutions In
question should he inherited rs news
matter or as an advertisement. HIS
orders against the admission OF hbel-
lous articles in any department OF the
PAPER had always been so stringent aud
reremptory that it didnot, he says, occur
10 him that such matter would be sent
to him at all and. indeed, the assist
ant editor who sent it did not construe
il M hbellous. Under these exceptional
circumstances he did not read the reso-
lutions Us a whole, but merely glanced
ut them, and in consequence of his
da2ed and semi-cOmatOse condition
failed TO uotethe offensive paragraphs at
the conclusion. lie has endeavored to
make reparation 10y apology and expla-
nation. 1t can be truthfully said that
no paper anywhere is more fairly and
iudiciouslv conducted in its treatment
of individuals and of public questions
than the MdCr-APpcdt, and to MIR.
Barham personally is due the credit OF
having inaugurated reform in this re-
spect in our local journalism. In view
Of these facts, and the absence of any
reasonable suspicion of malice, it is
thought doubtful that the grand jury
will find true bill in his case.
GENERAL AND PERSONAL.
A good many of the old Confederate
soldiers in this city are making prepare
tions to visit Richmond on the occasion
Of the laying of the cornerstone of the
monument to General Il. 4. Lee, and 1t
may be said also that good many of
our people who were not soldiers but
who honor and reverence the memory
of the great Confederate commander
will attend the ceremonies. A gallant
Confederate officer in speaking of these
ceremonies to-day says that General
Lee, taken altogether, was the gTandest
man he ever saw, and his horse Travel
Ter the finest animal in action the war
witnessed. During the terrible struggle
at Charlottesville this officer was near
General lee, unJ, was matcnlng S'm
very closely as well as admiring him.
InSS = oGerais were Smelling furiously at
the time. and one OF the shells burst
Immediately over General Lee, only a
few feet above his head. The General
did not finch nor dld muscle of his
face move nor was there a tremOr no.
ticeable in the horse on which he was
mounted.
Rev. r. r. AGREE preached his two
opening sermons at the First Baptist
church yesterday, morning and night.
There was a crowded congregation in
attendance on each occasion, and the
new pastor created q most favorable I'M
preston.
The Mayors Court this morning, for
the first time in years on Monday, was
without a case on the docket. The fact
was SO unusual as to cause comment.
1t is said that not single warrant has
been issued in this city within the last
four days.
Tomorrow will witness the marriage
Of one Of our most popular young mer-
chants to one Of Petersburg's most
charming daughters. RoHIN ADAiE.